4.5. TERMINATION PRIOR TO EXPIRATION OF APPOINTMENT TERM

A non-tenure-track faculty member may be terminated for Adequate Cause prior to the expiration of their appointment term. The definition of Adequate Cause for non-tenure-track faculty is defined in the same manner as it is for tenured faculty members in Section J.1.c. of UT Policy BT0006 and Section 3.10.10.3 of this Handbook. A recommendation to terminate a non-tenure track faculty member for Adequate Cause may be initiated by the department head or dean. In the event that a department head recommends to the dean and Provost that a non-tenure-track faculty member be terminated for Adequate Cause, the department head and dean shall meet with the faculty member to present the reasons for the recommended termination and to permit the faculty member to respond. If, after this meeting, the dean concludes that Adequate Cause for the termination exists, a recommendation for termination shall be forwarded to the Provost. In the event the dean recommends to the Provost that a non-tenure-track faculty member be terminated for Adequate Cause in the absence of a recommendation from the department head, the dean shall meet with the faculty member to present the reasons for the recommended termination and to permit the faculty member to respond. If, after this meeting, the dean concludes that Adequate Cause for the termination exists, a recommendation for termination shall be forwarded to the Provost. If the Provost agrees with the termination recommendation, the Provost shall inform the faculty member of his or her termination in writing. The Provost shall also notify the faculty member in writing of his or her right to a post-termination hearing under the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (see Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5- 301 et seq.).

Non-tenure-track faculty can also be terminated prior to the expiration of their appointment term in the event of Extraordinary Circumstances as defined in Section J.1.b. of UT Policy BT0006 and Section 3.10.10.2. of this Handbook.